Cases for mobile electronic devices for use with auxiliary lenses

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, high-performance, rugged, or damage-resistant cases for mobile electronic devices, such as mobile communication devices, are provided to enclose and/or protect mobile electronic devices and/or one or more auxiliary products for mobile electronic devices, such as one or more auxiliary lenses, from various hazards, such as impact, shock, and/or ingress of potentially damaging substances, such as water, other liquids, dust, dirt, sand, and/or other debris, etc.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/764,981, filed on Feb. 14, 2013 and entitled “Accessories for Communication Devices,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/936,824, filed on Feb. 6, 2014, and entitled “Accessories for Mobile Devices,” the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made part of this specification for all that they disclose.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to cases for mobile electronic devices and specifically to cases for mobile devices with one or more additional performance features.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of mobile electronic devices has become widespread in many diverse fields and applications. Mobile electronic devices include mobile communication devices such as mobile telephones, media storage devices, testing devices, gaming devices, data entry devices, GPS devices, laptop computers, notebook or pad-type computers, and/or devices capable of linking electronically to another device or to a network such as the Internet, etc. The mobile nature of such devices makes them especially vulnerable to damage by inadvertent contact with other objects during transportation or storage, such as when a mobile electronic device is dropped on the ground or comes into contact with water or another potentially damaging substance.

Existing cases for mobile electronic devices can help in some instances to shield or protect mobile electronic devices from certain types of damage. However, such cases do not provide sufficient interior space for mobile electronic devices equipped with additional performance-enhancing add-on products, and/or do not provide any protection for the add-on products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, high-performance, rugged, or damage-resistant cases for mobile electronic devices, such as mobile communication devices, are provided to enclose and/or protect mobile electronic devices and/or one or more auxiliary products for mobile electronic devices, such as one or more auxiliary lenses, from various hazards, such as impact, shock, and/or ingress of potentially damaging substances, such as water, other liquids, dust, dirt, sand, and/or other debris, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a rear plan view of a case for a mobile electronic device in a closed position;

FIG. 1B is a rear plan view of the case of FIG. 1A in an open position;

FIG. 1C is a rear plan view of the case of FIG. 1A with an auxiliary lens;

FIG. 1D is rear perspective view of an example of a mobile electronic device that can be used with any of the embodiments disclosed in this specification;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the case of FIG. 1A with the auxiliary lens illustrated in an exploded configuration;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a case for a mobile electronic device in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the case of FIG. 3 in a closed position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a case for a mobile electronic device in an open position;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a case for a mobile electronic device in a closed position;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a case for a mobile electronic device in an open position;

FIG. 8 is a rear plan view of another embodiment of a case for a mobile electronic device in a closed position with an auxiliary lens attached to the case; and

FIG. 9 is a rear plan view of the case of FIG. 8 with the auxiliary lens removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In some embodiments disclosed in this specification, cases for mobile electronic devices such as mobile communication devices can provide a high level of protection for a mobile electronic device and/or for one or more performance-enhancing add-on products that are or can be physically or functionally coupled to a mobile electronic device (e.g., one or more auxiliary lens components). For example, in some embodiments, any of the cases disclosed herein can provide a high level of resistance to damage from impact or shock and/or from ingress of performance-impairing substances, such as moisture, water or other liquid, vapors, perspiration, fog, and/or dust, etc. In some embodiments, a case for a mobile electronic device disclosed in this specification can be partially or fully compliant with industry standards for highly protective or rugged cases for electronic devices, such as IP-68; MIL STD 810E-516.5; and/or MIL STD 810G-516.6, including but not limited to one or more relevant tests in any of these standards, such as test relating to water resistance (or waterproofing), and/or drop or impact resistance, etc. In some embodiments, a case disclosed herein may be generally shock or impact resistant, or water resistant, without necessarily complying with these high-level industry standards.

Any of the cases disclosed herein can be configured to be water proof or water resistant, such as up to about 3 ATM of water pressure. Any of the cases disclosed herein can include an auxiliary power portion, such as an auxiliary battery and/or a solar-charging portion and/or auxiliary flash and/or other auxiliary electronic capability. In any of the cases disclosed herein, a transparent portion or a light-channeling portion can be provided that is configured to direct light generated by an onboard flash onto the scene being photographed. Any of the cases disclosed herein can include one or more cushioning or shock-absorbing features on an exterior or interior surface of the case to diminish or resist damage that may otherwise be caused by shock or impact against a mobile electronic device contained within the case 1700. The individual features disclosed and/or described in this specification are contemplated to be additive or interchangeable: any structure, material, step, or function disclosed and/or illustrated in any particular embodiment can be combined with or used instead of any other structure, material, step, or function disclosed and/or illustrated in any other embodiment. The selected aggregation of particular features in the descriptions or illustrations is merely for convenience in providing examples in a context, but is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, unless otherwise noted, the term “mobile electronic device” refers to a device with electronic functionality that can be easily and conveniently carried by an individual, and the term “mobile communication device” refers to a mobile electronic device that is capable of communicating electronically with one or more other devices.

In FIG. 1A, an example of an embodiment of a case 1700 for a mobile communication device is shown. The case 1700 of FIG. 1A can be shock-resistant and/or water resistant. In some embodiments, the case 1700 can be formed, in whole or in part, from a polymer such as polycarbonate or polypropylene or from a metal, such as aluminum or titanium. The body of the case 1700 may be molded or otherwise formed with generally thick dimensions (e.g., one or more walls of the body can be generally thick), and/or at least a portion of the case may be made of one or more rigid, highly rigid, resilient, or highly resilient materials. In some embodiments, the case material can be generally transparent, in whole or in part, such as in the display region 1701 that is configured to be generally adjacent to the screen of the mobile device when the mobile device is inserted therein, such that the screen of the mobile device can be generally visible through the display region 1701 of the case 1700. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the case material can be of a type that is appropriately thin, flexible, or resilient, and/or appropriately composed so as to permit touch-screen communication by a user through the case material onto the underlying screen of the mobile device disposed within the case, such as in a display region 1701 of the case 1700.

The case 1700 can include a body portion 1702, comprising an internal cavity into which a communication device (not shown) is configured to be placed, and a lid portion 1704 that couples to the body portion 1702 to enclose the communication device. In some methods of providing the case 1700 to a user, a manufacturer or retailer instructs the user to insert a communication device into the case 1700. In some embodiments, the internal cavity can be sized and/or shaped to closely conform to the size and/or shape of a mobile electronic device coupled with an auxiliary attachment, such as an auxiliary lens on the mobile electronic device, permitting the mobile electronic device and auxiliary attachment to be contained at least partially, or entirely, within the case without undue or excessive internal jostling, rattling, or vibration that could potentially damage the mobile electronic device and/or the auxiliary attachment. The lid portion 1704 can be substantially smaller than the body portion, as illustrated. In some embodiments, as shown, the lid portion extends along only one upper edge of the case 1700, from a first lateral side to a second lateral side. The case 1700 may completely enclose a communication device to resist impacts, scratches, and the like, and/or to resist against water ingress and/or other environmental factors.

In some embodiments, as illustrated, the body portion 1702 and the lid portion 1704 may comprise a movable connection, such as through a hinge 1713. As shown, the hinge 1713 can be formed partially by a portion of the lid portion 1702 and partially by a portion of the body portion 1702. As illustrated, the hinge 1713 can be positioned on a portion of case that is generally opposite from a securing mechanism 1703.

A seal 1712 may be used between the lid portion 1704 and the body portion 1702. For example, the seal 1712 may be a gasket made of rubber, silicone, or some other resilient, compliant, or flexible material. When a user moves the lid portion 1704 into engagement with the body portion 1702, such as along an upper edge of the body portion 1702 and along a lower portion of the lip portion, into a closed position, the lid 1704 can compress the seal 1712 against the body portion 1704, forming a water-resistant seal. In some embodiments, the seal 1712 can comprise a plurality of components, such as seal portions 1712 a and 1712 b, as illustrated in FIG. 1B. In a closed position of the case 1700, the seal portions 1712 a and 1712 b can be configured to compress against each other and against respective portions of the case 1700 to form a suitable seal. As shown, the seal 1712, or portions thereof, can be non-planar so as to closely conform to a curved portion of the case 1700. As with all features disclosed and/or illustrated in this specification, a seal with appropriate adaptations can be used with any embodiment disclosed and/or illustrated in this specification along any region where two or more components come together, contact each other, and/or converge, etc.

In some embodiments, as illustrated, a securing mechanism 1703, such as a latch, can removably secure the lid portion 1704 to the body portion 1702. In some embodiments, as shown, the securing mechanism 1703 can be disposed on a lateral side of the case 1700. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a latch can be pivotally attached to the case 1700 such that, in an open position, the latch is spaced from a contact region 1705 on either of the body portion 1702 or the lid portion 1704; and in a closed position, the latch is moved into contact with such contact region 1705 to removably secure the case 1700 in a closed position. Many other different types of securing mechanisms can be used.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1C and 2, the case 1700 may be configured to be used with a mobile electronic device having an auxiliary lens component 1706 attached thereto and/or housed within the case 1700 along with the mobile electronic device. In some embodiments, the auxiliary lens component 1706 is configured to attach directly to the mobile electronic device and/or is configured to attach directly to the case 1700. As illustrated in FIG. 1D, in some embodiments, an auxiliary lens component 1706 a can be removably attachable to a portion of the mobile electronic device 1730 with a retainer portion 1732. The auxiliary lens component 1706 a can be configured to be attached to the mobile electronic device 1730 in a region that is adjacent to or overlayed or overlapping an onboard camera of the mobile electronic device 1730, such as on a corner of the mobile electronic device, or along an upper edge of the mobile electronic device (e.g., at or near a middle region along an upper edge region of the mobile electronic device). The lens portion 1707 of the auxiliary lens component 1706 a can be configured to modify light that passes through the lens portion 1707 before such light impinges on an onboard lens and/or onboard camera of a mobile electronic device 1730. Many examples of auxiliary lens components are included in U.S. Pat. No. 8,279,544, which is incorporated herein by reference for all that it discloses, and any of such auxiliary lens components can be used on a mobile electronic device that can be inserted, together with an auxiliary lens component, into a case 1700 that is appropriately sized and dimensioned to fit and to protect such mobile electronic device and auxiliary lens component.

In some embodiments (not shown), an auxiliary lens component can be provided as an integral portion of the case 1700. For example, the auxiliary lens component can be affixed or removably attached to the lid portion 1704 or to the body portion 1702 of the case 1700. The integrally mounted auxiliary lens component can swing open or closed with the lid portion 1704 such that in the closed position of the case 1700, the auxiliary lens component is positioned generally in front of an onboard lens or onboard camera of a mobile electronic device. In some embodiments, a plurality of interchangeable integral auxiliary lens components can be provided with different optical characteristics, such as any of the different optical characteristics disclosed for other lenses in the specification.

The auxiliary lens component 1706 can provide an optical capability or function that is different from or greater than the optical capability of an onboard lens in a camera of the mobile electronic device. For example, the auxiliary lens component 1706 can be an optical element that provides one or more of magnification (adjustable or fixed), telephoto, polarization, anti-glare, anti-reflection, light filtering, light attenuation, wide-angle, fish-eye, or other functionality. Any of these functionalities can be adjustable. In some embodiments, a plurality of different interchangeable auxiliary lens components 1706 can be provided with different optical capabilities.

A separate protective lens housing 1706 may be used to house the lens component. The lens housing 1706 may provide a non-permanent protective enclosure for one of multiple interchangeable lens components 1707. In some embodiments, a particular lens component may be permanently enclosed within the lens housing 1706. The lens housing may be removably secured in place between the lid 1704 and body portion 1702, as shown in FIG. 1C. In some embodiments, when a user does not wish to use a lens component, a lens housing 1706 is not required to be secured between the lid portion 1704 and the body portion 1702. Instead, an opening may remain, or a separate protective component or an empty lens housing 1712 may be secured between the lid portion 1704 and the body portion 1702 to maintain the protection against environmental factors.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1B, one or more portions of the case 1700, such as a lower portion of the lid portion 1704 and/or an upper portion of the body portion 1702, can comprise one or more surfaces or shapes that are configured to closely correspond to one or more surfaces or shapes of an outside surface of a lens housing 1706 or other portion of an auxiliary lens component 1706, 1706 a. For example, as illustrated, a lower edge of the lid portion 1704 can comprise an upwardly concave region 1715 and an upper edge of the body portion 1702 can comprise a downwardly concave region 1719. Each of these concave regions 1715, 1719 can be configured to fit tightly against the respective upper and lower surfaces of the lens housing 1706, with one or more seals 1712 disposed between these components in some embodiments in some embodiments to produce a seal between the respective lid and body portions 1704, 1702 and the lens housing 1706. The one or more concave regions 1715, 1719 can comprise generally arcuate or generally circular or partially arcuate or partially circular shapes to generally match with at least a portion of an outer surface of an auxiliary lens component 1706, 1706 a. The opening formed by the combination of the one or more concave regions 1715, 1719 can be substantially larger (e.g., at least two or at least three times larger) than an onboard lens or an onboard camera, since the opening is configured to receive an auxiliary lens.

As illustrated in FIG. 1D, when attached to a mobile electronic device 1730, an auxiliary lens component 1706 a can extend further in one or more dimensions, such as in a vertical direction and/or a horizontal direction than an upper edge 1734 and/or a lateral edge 1736 of the mobile electronic device 1730. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A, an upper portion 1738 of the case 1700 that is configured to generally surround at least an upwardly extending portion of the auxiliary lens component 1706, 1706 a in the closed position can extend further in the vertical region than a main portion of the top edge of the case 1700; and a laterally extending portion 1740 of the case 1700 that is configured to generally surround at least a side portion of the auxiliary lens component 1706, 1706 a in the closed position can extend further in the lateral side than a main portion of the side edge of the case 1700. Either or both of the upwardly extending portion 1738 and the lateral extending portion 1740 can comprise a generally curvilinear, non-straight outer surface.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, when the case 1700 is positioned in the closed position, at least a portion of the auxiliary lens component 1706, 1706 a can protrude or extend outside of the case 1700, such that the case 1700 does not cover or impede the direct contact of light with the lens portion 1707 of the auxiliary lens component 1706, 1706 a. The upwardly and downwardly concave portions 1715, 1719 of the case 1700 can form complimentary portions of a generally circular opening in the case, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 1A. A seal or tight fit can be formed around the auxiliary lens component 1706, 1706 a by one or more portions of the case 1700 to prevent the ingress of damaging substances into the case 1700 along or at the boundary between the auxiliary lens component 1706, 1706 a and the case 1700, which could otherwise damage the mobile electronic device housed therein. In some embodiments (not shown), the auxiliary lens component 1706, 1706 a can be completely enclosed within the case 1700 when the case 1700 is in the closed position. At least a portion of the case 1700 can comprise a transparent or translucent region to permit light to pass through the case 1700, onto the lens portion 1707 of the auxiliary lens component 1706, 1706 a, and then onto the onboard lens or camera of the mobile electronic device 1730.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in an example in FIG. 2, interfacing components can be provided to permit access to or communication with the mobile electronic device 1730 when the mobile electronic device 1730 is contained with the case 1700 in a closed position. For example, one or more control interfaces 1742 can be provided and configured to allow a user to control one or more features of the mobile electronic device (such as to turn the mobile electronic device on or off, adjust volume, and/or actuate a photo-capturing process, etc.) In some embodiments, the control interface 1742 can comprise a flexible or resilient portion of material that is bonded to or otherwise attached to a portion of the case 1700 in a manner that is resistant to leaking to impede the ingress of performance-impairing substances such as water, dust, and/or debris. In some embodiments, as illustrated, since the auxiliary lens 1706, 1706 a or some other component may block direct access to a control portion (e.g., a power button 1748) on a mobile electronic device 1730, or the interface portion may be spaced from the control portion, an internal actuating component (not shown) that is functionally coupled to the control interface 1742 can extend downwardly inside of the case 1700, between the control interface 1742 and the control portion of the mobile electronic device 1730, to enable a user to actuate the control portion of the mobile electronic device by actuating the control interface 1742.

One or more access regions can be provided to permit selective contact with a portion of the mobile electronic device 1730 when it is contained within the case 1700 in a closed position. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a flexible or resilient cover 1744 can be provided in the case 1700 in a region that is generally proximate to an ear phone jack or other electronic access region of the mobile electronic device 1730 when it is positioned within the internal cavity of the case 1700. The cover 1744 can comprise a closed position (as shown) and an open position. In the open position, an electronic component, such as an ear phone, can be electronically connected to the mobile electronic device 1730 without requiring the mobile electronic device 1730 to be removed from the case 1700. Many alternative or additional types of access regions can be provided. For example, an access region can be provided to enable a user to connect a power cord or charger to the mobile electronic device while it is disposed within the case 1700 in a closed position.

In some embodiments, the access region is configured to form a seal around the access region, or to provide an external electronic interface that is in electronic communication with the mobile electronic device on the interior of the case 1700, to enable a user to access or establish an electronic connection with the mobile electronic device 1730 in the case 1700 in a closed position, while maintaining a sealed configuration around the mobile electronic device 1730, to resist the ingress of one or more damaging substances such as water, dust, debris, etc.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate another embodiment of a sturdy or rugged, shock-resistant, and/or water-resistant protective case 1800. As illustrated, the case 1800 is in an open position. The case 1800 can comprise multiple components, any of which can be used in other embodiments disclosed and/or illustrated in this specification, with suitable adaptations, and/or any of the features disclosed and/or illustrated in other embodiments in this specification can be used on case 1800, with suitable adaptations. The case 1800 may include a body portion 1802 that is made of sturdy protective material, such as molded polycarbonate and/or anodized aluminum, etc. The body portion 1802 can comprise an inner cavity 1809.

In some embodiments, the body portion 1802 can include a plurality of connection points 1803, such as apertures configured to receive elongate connectors, such as screws or bolts with threads in a closed position of the case 1800. Many other suitable connectors or connection means can be provided, instead of or in addition to elongate connectors, such as one or more clasps, clips, snaps, buckles, bands, clamps, etc., to provide a closed position for the case 1800. In some embodiments, the body portion 1802 comprises a recessed top portion, forming an outer lip, for receiving an upper screen protector 1806 in a recessed manner. The body portion 1802 can be transparent or opaque. The rear side of the body portion can be closed or open (e.g., in some situations the body portion can comprise merely a lower band configured to generally surround an outer edge of a mobile electronic device).

An inner layer 1804 may be removably or permanently positioned within the inner cavity 1809 of the body portion 1802. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner layer 1804 can comprise an interior cavity 1807. The inner layer 1804 may be configured to generally surround and/or secure a particular type of communication device or a plurality of various types of communication devices within the body portion 1802. In some embodiments, an inner boundary of the inner layer 1804 can be configured to closely conform with or tightly fit an outer edge region of an electronic device that is disposed in the interior cavity 1807 of the inner layer 1804. In some embodiments, the inner layer 1804 can provide padding or shock absorption to a mobile electronic device disposed therein, such as one or more inner layers 1804 made of a resilient or flexible material such as silicone. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the lateral thickness of the inner layer can vary along at least a portion of its perimeter, or along its entire perimeter, to provide multiple discrete points of flexible or resilient contact with a mobile device disposed in the interior cavity 1807 of the inner layer 1804. In some embodiments (not shown), the lateral thickness of the inner layer is substantially contact along a portion, or most, or all, of its perimeter to provide a thick, impact-resistant barrier to help protect a mobile electronic device disposed in the inner cavity 1807 of the inner layer 1804. In some embodiments, the inner layer 1804 includes one or more access regions 1809 comprising aperture or other points of access for permitting interaction between a user and the mobile electronic device disposed in the case 1800 in a closed position.

A screen protector 1806 may be used to protect the front face and/or screen of the communication device, and/or to help provide a seal against ingress of potentially damaging substances, such as water, dust, moisture, vapors, and/or debris. The screen protector 1806 may be transparent or clear, and the screen protector 1806 can facilitate viewing of the screen even when the communication device is completely enclosed within the case 1800. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the outer perimeter of the screen protector 1806 is about the same shape and size as the outer perimeter of the upper edge of the body portion 1802; and in some embodiments, the outer perimeter of the screen protector 1806 is slightly smaller than the outer perimeter of the upper edge of the body portion 1802, such that the screen protector 1806 can fit within a recessed portion of the upper edge of the body portion 1802 in some configurations.

The screen protector 1806 can be made of strengthened glass (e.g., tempered or chemically treated glass). For example, the screen protector 1806 can be made of an alkali-aluminosilicate sheet of glass, such as Gorrila Glass made by Corning, Inc. In some embodiments, the screen protector 1806 is a thin, flexible layer configured to permit a user to interact or communicate with the mobile electronic device disposed inside of the case through the screen protector 1806. As with all features in this specification, a screen protector with one or more of these features can be utilized with appropriate adaptations in any embodiments disclosed and/or illustrated in this specification.

In a closed configuration of the case 1800, the flexible or resilient inner layer 1807 can be disposed within the interior cavity 1804 of the body portion 1802, and a mobile electronic device can be disposed within the inner layer 1807. The screen protector 1806 can be positioned on top of the body portion 1802, the inner layer 1807, and the mobile electronic device. The connection mechanism, such as a plurality of elongate connectors, or another connection mechanism, can extend through at least a portion of one or more of the screen protector 1806, the inner layer 1807, and/or the body portion 1802. Many other connection mechanisms can be provided to bring together two or more of these components to form a closed configuration for the case 1800. In some embodiments, each of, or any pair of, the screen protector 1806, the inner layer 1807, and/or the body portion 1802 are compressed or moved tightly together to form one or more generally sealed boundaries between or among these components.

The body portion 1802, the inner layer 1804, and/or the screen protector 1806 may be configured in an exposed position to temporarily expose a small portion of the underlying mobile electronic device, such as a portion that includes an onboard camera lens or some other portion or component of the communication device. As seen in FIG. 4, a removably attachable functional case portion can comprise an auxiliary lens component 1810 with a lens portion 1811 that may be temporarily mounted onto or otherwise used with the communication device (e.g., in a corner region, as shown, or in another region, such as in a middle region along a top edge of a mobile electronic device), facilitated or enabled by the exposure of the onboard camera lens by the various components of the case 1800 while the communication device is in the case 1800 and the case is in the closed position. The removably attachable functional case portion can be attached to the body portion 1802 at a notch or opening or surface aberration of the case portion 1800. The auxiliary lens component 1810 can be configured to be attachable to the mobile electronic device 1730 such that the lens portion 1811 of the auxiliary lens component 1810 is in optical communication with the onboard lens or camera of the mobile electronic device 1730.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the exterior edge of the auxiliary lens component 1810 can be sized and shaped to generally match the converging top and/or lateral edges of the case 1800, such that when the auxiliary lens component 1810 is attached to the case 1800, the auxiliary lens component forms a corner portion of the case 1800 that is similar or virtually identical in size and shape to one or more other corner portions of the case 1800. In a similar manner, if the auxiliary lens component 1810 is instead attached to another region of the case 1800, such as a middle region along a top edge, the auxiliary lens component 1810 can generally match the size and shape of the adjacent edges, such that the region to which the auxiliary lens component 1810 can be attached has an appearance that is similar in size and shape to other corresponding regions, such as other sides, of the case 1800. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, one or more of the interior edges 1813 of the auxiliary lens component 1810 can be configured to closely match and/or abut against one or more edges of an open corner portion of the case 1800.

One or more connectors can be provided to securely and removably attach the auxiliary lens component 1810 to the case 1800. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, one or more latches can be pivotably attached to the case 1800 to firmly attach the auxiliary lens component 1810 to the case 1800 during use. In some embodiments, a gasket or other ingress-resistant structure can be provided to seal the boundary between the auxiliary lens component 1810 and the case 1800, such that the case 1800 with the auxiliary lens component 1810 in an attached position provides high-level protection to the mobile electronic device, including in the region of the auxiliary lens component 1810.

In some embodiments, a specialized, matching auxiliary lens component 1810 may not be provided; rather, a corner or side portion is merely configured to open, exposing and/or providing access to an onboard lens or onboard camera. A standard auxiliary lens (not specially made to match the case 1800) can be attached to the exposed region of the mobile electronic device. When a lens component 1810 is not being used, a removably attachable cap may be provided to complete the enclosure of the communication device by covering the exposed component or area of the communication device, thereby protecting the previously exposed portion of the mobile electronic device.

As with all of the embodiments in this specification, any disclosed features can be interchangeable and combinable. For example, without limitation, any of the user access or control features disclosed in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-2 can be included in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-4. One or more flexible or resilient seals can be provided in any useful location on the case 1800, such as in the region of a home-return button on the mobile electronic device (e.g., along a lower edge of the front side of the mobile electronic device).

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate other types of sturdy or rugged protective cases 1900. An example of a case 1900 may include one or more hinges 1910 along a lateral edge, facilitating the opening of the case by pivoting an attached cover portion 1905 of the case 1900 as shown. In some embodiments, the cover portion 1905 extends along at least about a majority of the length of the case 1900, and/or along about the entire length of the case 1900. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the case can comprise an interior cavity 1909 that is sized to removably receive a mobile electronic device 1730. In some methods of providing a case 1900 to a user, the user is instructed to insert the mobile electronic device 1730 into the case. After the mobile electronic device 1730 is inserted into the interior cavity 1909 of the case 1900, the cover portion 1905 can be pivoted into a closed position. One or more securing mechanisms, such as latches 1911 as illustrated, can removably secure the cover portion 1905 of the case 1900 in a closed position.

The case 1900 may include an inner layer 1907 that provides padding or shock absorption for a communication device 1730 housed within the case 1900 on the top, bottom, and/or one or more sides of the interior cavity 1909 of the case 1900. A lens component 1706 a may be coupled to the communication device 1730, and may remain coupled to the communication device 1730 when the case is housed within the case 1900. The length of the interior cavity 1909 of the case 1900 can be sufficiently large to fit the length of a mobile electronic device 1730 plus an auxiliary lens component 1706 a; the width of the interior cavity 1909 of the case 1900 can be sufficiently large to fit the width of a mobile electronic device 1730 plus an auxiliary lens component 1706 a; and the thickness of the interior cavity 1909 (e.g., front-to-back depth) of the case 1900 can be sufficiently large to fit the thickness of a mobile electronic device 1730 plus an auxiliary lens component 1706 a.

In some embodiments, an interior perimeter of the interior cavity 1909 can closely fit, conform to, or match an outer perimeter of the mobile electronic device 1730 and/or an attached auxiliary lens component 1706 a to avoid jostling, rattling, or vibration of the mobile electronic device and/or the auxiliary lens component 1706 a within the case 1900 in the closed position. One or more surfaces of the case 1900 can be transparent to permit a user to review a screen of the mobile electronic device in the closed configuration.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, in some embodiments a case 2100 can include a pivoting cover 2102 that is substantially smaller than an outer surface of a case 2100. For example, the cover 2102 can comprise less than half of the surface area of an outer surface of a case 2100, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the remainder of the front and rear surfaces can be permanently bonded together to avoid inadvertent opening. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the case 2100 can comprise a mounting portion, such as a tripod mount 2011, and/or a carrying portion, such as a handle 2013.

In some embodiments, the case 2100 may include an external compartment 2006 or housing for storing a standard lens component 2007 or an extra or alternative lens component 2007 when not in use. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a compartment 2006 may store a lens component 2007. The lens component 2007 can be slid away or otherwise detached from the compartment 2006 of the case 2100 and then attached integrally to the pivoting cover 2102 to position the lens component 2007, in a closed configuration of the case 1900, in optical communication with an onboard lens or camera of a mobile communication device 1730 that is disposed inside of the interior cavity 2009 of the case 2100. A plurality of lens components 2007 can be provided, such that at least one lens component 2007 can be attached to a portion of the case 2100 to permit the lens component 2007 to be positioned in optical communication with an onboard lens or onboard camera of the mobile electronic device 1730, and another lens component 2007 can be attached to the case for storage and later use. Each of the lens components 2007 can provide different optical features, such as different optical features disclosed elsewhere in this specification. As with all features in this specification, a lens component storage compartment can be provided with any case disclosed and/or illustrated herein.

In some embodiments, a laterally pivotable and/or detachable cover 2102 may be included to protect and enclose a separate, removable lens component 1706 a while the component is attached directly to a mobile electronic device (see FIG. 7), and positioned inside of the cavity 1909 of the case 1900. The cover 2102 may allow removal of the lens component when desired without requiring the communication device to be removed from the case 2000. The cover 2102 may include a clear protective lens cover 2004 to protect the lens component 1706 a while permitting normal operation of the lens component 1706 a by allowing light to pass clearly through the lens cover 2004 to the lens component 1706 a.

In some embodiments, as illustrated, a portion of the cover 2102 or case 2100 that is configured to generally surround at least a portion of the onboard camera of the mobile electronic device 1730, and/or a removably attached lens component 1706 a, can protrude further in a rearward direction than a majority of the surface area of the side of the case 2100 on which it is mounted.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the case 2100 can include a lid portion 2102 that swivels or pivots about a generally vertically or longitudinally oriented axis, laterally from a back or front face of the case 2100. In some embodiments, a communication device 100 may be housed within the case 2100 while an auxiliary lens component 102 remains coupled to the device 100.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of a protective case 2200 for a mobile electronic device 1730. In this example, a case 2200 is configured to open with one or more lateral hinges 2204, in a manner similar to the example shown in FIG. 5, to receive a mobile electronic device 1730 in an interior cavity (not shown) of the case 2200, and then to close, forming a protective barrier against impact and/or ingress of damaging materials.

In some embodiments, after the case 2200 has closed, the mobile electronic device 1730 cannot be contacted or directly accessed from the exterior (unless the case 2200 is fully opened again). The case 2200 can include an auxiliary lens 2210 attached to a removable housing portion 2215. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the removable housing portion 2215 can be detached from the case 2200 when not needed or when another type of auxiliary lens with different optical features (such as those described elsewhere in this specification) is desired to be used in place of auxiliary lens 2210. In some embodiments, a plurality of different lenses can be attached and detached from the same removable housing portion 2215. In some embodiments, including those with a shape that permits front-to-back reversible attachability, a first type of lens can be attached to a first face of the removable housing portion 2215 and a second type of lens can be attached to a second face of the removable housing portion 2215 at the same time, thereby provide a plurality of optical capabilities with the same removable housing portion 2215. The user can modify the case 2200 to position the desired lens capability in front of the onboard lens or onboard camera of the mobile electronic device 1730 by removing the removable housing portion 2215, reversing its orientation from front to back, and then replacing the removable housing portion 2215 on the case 2200.

When the removable housing portion 2215 with the auxiliary lens 2210 is removed from the case 2200, an underlying portion 2225 of the case 2200 is exposed, but not the mobile electronic device 1730 itself Rather, the mobile electronic device 1730 continues to be fully protected by the case 2200, even when the auxiliary lens 2210 is removed. At least a portion of the underlying portion 2225 is transparent so that light can pass through it into an onboard lens or onboard camera of the mobile electronic device 1730. The removable housing portion 2215 can be attached and/or removed from the case 2200 in many different ways. For example, the removable housing portion 2215 can be slidably received and/or withdrawn from the case 2200, or latched into a fixed position on the case 2200, or removably secured using elongate connectors such as screws, and/or snap-fit into place, etc.

In some embodiments of case 2200, there is a single hinge 2204 generally on or near one edge, and multiple latches 2202 generally on or near an opposite, generally parallel edge. In some embodiments, a case 2200 can include a single latch 2202 generally on or near one edge, and multiple hinges 2204 generally on or near an opposite, generally parallel edge. In some embodiments, a case 2200 b can include a one or more latches 2202, but no external hinge (e.g., an internal hinge, living hinge, or no hinge may be used). In some embodiments, a case 2200 d can include multiple latches 2202, one or more of which may be generally on or near an edge that a hinge 2204 mechanism is also generally on or near.

In some embodiments, as illustrated, one or more surfaces of the case 2200 can comprise shallow recesses to provide strength and/or rigidity for the case 2200, without unduly adding to the overall weight and manufacturing material costs of the case 2200. 

The following is claimed:
 1. A case configured to receive and to protect a mobile electronic device with an auxiliary lens attached to the mobile electronic device, the case comprising: a housing comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being configured to move with respect to each other from an open position to a closed position; and a cavity within the case configured to receive and to closely conform to the shape of both a mobile electronic device and an auxiliary lens attached to the mobile electronic device in the closed position.
 2. The combination of the case of claim 1 and the mobile electronic device.
 3. The case of claim 1 wherein the case is shock-resistant.
 4. The case of claim 1 wherein the case is water-resistant.
 5. The case of claim 1 wherein the case is shock-resistant and water-resistant.
 6. The case of claim 5, wherein the case complies with one or more industry standards for shock-resistant and water-resistant electronic cases.
 7. The case of claim 6, wherein the case complies with one or more military standards for shock-resistance and water-resistances for electronic cases.
 8. The case of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary lens is configured to be positioned entirely within the housing in the closed position.
 9. The combination of the case and mobile electronic device of claim 2 and the auxiliary lens.
 10. The case of claim 1 wherein the close conformance of the cavity with the mobile electronic device and an auxiliary lens is configured to prevent shock damage to the mobile electronic device and the auxiliary lens.
 11. The case of claim 10 further comprising a flexible or resilient layer positioned within at least a portion of the housing, the flexible or resilient layer.
 12. A water-resistant case for a mobile electronic device, the case comprising: a first housing portion; a second housing portion configured to move relative to the first housing portion; and a seal positioned between the first and second housing portions in a closed position of the case, at least a portion of the seal being configured to extend along at least a portion of an exterior portion of an auxiliary lens that extends from a region near an onboard lens of a mobile electronic device inside of the case to a region outside of the case.
 13. The combination of the case of claim 12 with the mobile electronic device.
 14. The combination of the case and mobile electronic device of claim 13 and the auxiliary lens.
 15. The case of claim 12, wherein the auxiliary lens attaches to the case.
 16. A mobile electronic device case comprising: a main case portion that is configured to receive and to protect a majority of a mobile electronic device; and one or more removably attachable functional case portions, each functional case portion comprising an exterior edge that is configured to generally conform with and generally match an outer edge of the main case portion when the functional case portion is attached to the main case portion, at least one of the functional case portions comprising an auxiliary lens configured to be positioned in optical communication with an onboard camera or onboard lens of a mobile electronic device positioned within the main case portion.
 17. The combination of the mobile electronic device case of claim 16 and the mobile electronic device.
 18. The mobile electronic device case of claim 16, wherein at least one removably attachable functional case portion is configured to attach to the mobile electronic device case at a corner region of the mobile electronic device case.
 19. The mobile electronic device case of claim 16, wherein the removably attachable functional case portion is attachably secured to the mobile electronic device case by way of one or more latches.
 20. The mobile electronic device case of claim 16, in combination with a plurality of different removably attachable function case portions comprising lenses with different optical capabilities.
 21. The mobile electronic device case of claim 16, wherein the removably attachable functional case portion is configured to receive a plurality of different lenses with different optical capabilities.
 22. A case for a mobile electronic device, comprising: a main case portion with a front surface and a rear surface, the main case portion comprising an interior space configured to receive a mobile electronic device; and a cover portion pivotally attached to the rear surface of the main case portion in a region that is configured to cover a region of the mobile electronic device with an onboard lens or an onboard camera in the mobile electronic device, the surface area of the cover portion being substantially smaller than the surface area of the rear surface, the cover being configured to receive an auxiliary lens; wherein the cover is configured to move from an open position that permits a mobile electronic device to be inserted in the interior space and a closed position that retains a mobile electronic device in the interior space.
 23. The combination of the case of claim 22 with the mobile electronic device.
 24. The combination of the case of claim 22 with an auxiliary lens.
 25. The combination of the case of claim 22 with a plurality of auxiliary lenses with different optical capabilities.
 26. A protective enclosure for a mobile electronic device, the protective enclosure comprising: a housing with an open position and a closed position, the housing configured to receive a mobile electronic device in the open position and the housing configured to enclose, to protect, and to seal the mobile electronic device within the housing in the closed position; and a removable housing portion attached or attachable to an auxiliary lens, the removable housing portion configured to removably attach to the housing in a region of the housing that is configured to be near a region of the mobile electronic device with an onboard lens or onboard camera of the mobile electronic device; wherein, when the housing is in the closed position and the removable housing portion is removed from the housing, the housing still protects, seals, and encloses the mobile electronic device within the housing.
 27. The combination of the protective enclosure of claim 26 with the mobile electronic device.
 28. The protective enclosure of claim 26, further comprising a plurality of removable housing portions comprising lenses with different optical capabilities.
 29. A method of providing protection for a mobile electronic device, comprising: providing a case for a mobile electronic device with an internal cavity that is configured to receive a mobile electronic device, wherein the case permits the mobile electronic device to utilize an auxiliary lens while providing shock-resistance and water-resistance to the mobile electronic device. 